Author: Buzzer Editorial

The US has signed a deal with Iran that would extend the ceasefire by 60 days and see the crucial Strait of Hormuz trade route reopened after effectively being closed since the start of hostilities.Speaking at the G7 summit in France on Wednesday, Donald Trump suggested that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) would be signed in the next 48 hours.On Wednesday evening it was confirmed by a White House official that he had signed the agreement.So what has been agreed between the US president’s negotiating team and Iran?Here are the 14 points of the MOU:1. The first paragraph refers to…

Oil prices fell in early trading on Thursday after the U.S. and Iran signed an interim agreement that would end the Iran war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and waive U.S. sanctions on Tehran’s oil, resolving the largest energy supply disruption in history.Brent crude futures were down 89 cents, or 1.12 per cent, at $78.66 a barrel as of 0005 GMT, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate fell 98 cents, or 1.28 per cent, to $75.81 a barrel.The benchmarks resumed their decline, reversing gains made on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump said he could resume his bombing campaign if Iran’s…

Former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, who is currently in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital, has reiterated that he will not end his ongoing hunger strike.According to reports, Major General Suresh Sallay told his personnel lawyer during a hospital visit that he is unwilling to return to the CID detention cell, describing the facility as “hell” and stating that death would be preferable. He is also said to have alleged that the CID Director holds personal animosity toward him.During the same visit,…

Sri Lankan javelin throw champion Rumesh Tharanga has risen to second place in the latest world rankings, marking a significant achievement for Sri Lanka’s athletics.According to the latest rankings, Tharanga has secured a score of 1,333 following outstanding performances in recent international meets.The Sri Lankan athlete moved up the rankings following his victories at the Ostrava Golden Spike athletics meeting held in the Czech Republic where he won the first place in the men’s javelin throw event and at the Rome Diamond League Athletics Championships held in Rome, Italy, where he outperformed several of the world’s leading javelin throwers, including…

The Free Lawyers organization has criticized the Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) decision to investigate several political leaders and activists over alleged contempt of court, describing the move as an attempt to restrict freedom of expression.In a statement, the organization said the investigation involving MP Dilith Jayaweera, former MPs Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila, along with Mahinda Pathirana, Asanka Nawaratne and Sugeeshwara Bandara, raises concerns about political suppression.The statement follows the CID’s submission to the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (15) that an investigation had been initiated against six individuals over statements allegedly affecting ongoing investigations related to former Director of…

The Court of Appeal has announced that it will deliver its decision on July 3 after concluding hearings on a petition filed by Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.In the petition, Rajapaksa has sought a ruling that the charge of “conspiracy” in the money laundering case filed against him by the Attorney General under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act cannot be legally maintained.During the hearing, Attorney-at-Law Hafeel Farisz presented submissions on behalf of the petitioner, while Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara made submissions representing the Attorney General, Ada Derana reporter said.Following the conclusion of arguments, the Court…

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has filed a petition with the Court of Appeal seeking an order preventing his arrest under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.The petition, filed through Attorney-at-Law Sanath Wijewardena, names the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director Shani Abeysekara, and Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Special Investigation Unit of the CID, Madhava Gunawardena as respondents, said Ada Derana reporter.

The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Association (SLRSMU) has raised concerns over what it describes as a worsening crisis in the railway service, claiming that the number of daily train journeys has fallen to below 200, compared to more than 420 services operated before the COVID-19 pandemic.The General Secretary of the Union, Kasun Chamara Jayasekara said that prior to the pandemic, more than 420 daily train services, including passenger, mixed, fuel transport and freight trains, were in operation. According to him, that figure dropped to around 350 after the pandemic and later declined further to nearly 250 services.He alleged that…

US President Donald Trump has said a preliminary deal to end the war with Iran has already been signed and suggested that details of the agreement are set to be published “pretty soon”.”I am very happy to say it’s signed, the deal is all signed,” he said during talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at the G7 summit on Monday.Senior US officials also began giving some details about the contents of the deal, briefing that the Strait of Hormuz would re-open on Friday – the same day the deal is formally inked in Geneva.Technical talks on Iran’s nuclear programme are…

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for rough sea conditions and strong winds for sea areas extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota.The advisory, issued at 10.30 a.m. today (16), will remain in effect until 10.30 a.m. tomorrow (17).According to the Met. Department, the sea areas off the coasts extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be rough at times with strong gusty winds up to 50-60 kmph. Naval and fishing communities are requested to remain vigilant in this regard, it said.Meanwhile, the wave height may increase about 2.0 – 2.5 meters in the sea…